The morning couldn't come soon enough.
During the car ride to school I didn't say a word to dad after the argument we had last night.
He looked tired but I didn't really care right now. Even after he told me he'll pick me up straight from school.
We rarely had arguments this badly, but he needed to understand what he can and can't control with my life if he wants me to be happy.
I walked into school dreading coming here even more than I usually do. I fought back the tears that wanted to come down and be strong.
"Octavia?"
I looked up to see Ernest waiting for me by the entrance. I made sure dad wasn't looking before I ran over to him and hugged him. I sobbed a bit into his chest and a few of the students passing stared but I didn't care.
I was just happy to be with him again.
"I was worried about you all night. Are you okay?"
"No. Me and my dad fought after you left and he grounded me. I can only come to school and head straight back home."
"I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you yesterday. I had to force myself to leave because I didn't want to get you in more trouble than you already were. I should have stood up for you."
"Don't be. Let's just forget about it."
"Well if you're sure Octavia."
"I am."
He gave me a slightly worried look but I reassured him by ruffling his hair a little bit. We heard the first warning bell ring and we headed to anatomy class together hand in hand.
Little did I know that was the start of another annoying problem.
After students were left stunned when they saw me and Ernest walk into class together holding hands the rumors started to spread.
That a cute basketball jock was dating the Plague.
I didn't care about rumors from shallow people, I just wanted to be with Ernest as much as I could. It was after first period and Ernest walked me and left to his class that I started getting whispered and pointed at when my back turned.
So they were stunned when we were together, but cold and even more condescending when I was by myself.
During classes more people starting joining into the bullying and did things to me like throwing paper at me, taking my seat on purpose, throwing away my books, and even tried to trip me in the halls. The teachers except Ms Gonzalez gave two shits about me so if I was bullied they didn't care.
I had a miserable morning. During 4th period I was headed to my locker when I didn't notice until too late that a leg was waiting for me to trip on it. And I fell and all my books spilled out onto the floor.
And I heard an all too familiar laughter.
"Good morning bitch how was your day? I told you I always get my way."
I was too tired to say anything back so I ignored her and started picking up my books. When I reached for my history book she stomped her heel into my hand and I shrieked in pain as she made it bleed.
"I'm. Talking. To. You. You. Complete. Scum."
I pulled my hand out from under her shoe and started rubbing it. She bent down until she was right next to my ear and whispered.
"Don't do as I say and I'll keep spreading rumors until no one wants you being called the smartest girl in class. And your boyfriend of yours will want nothing to do with you. Maybe I'll even take him for myself. He is kind of cute."
"Fuck you Stacy."
"I warned you and you will pay."
She kneed me hard in my chin before laughing like a psycho bitch and leaving me on the floor. I felt tired and just wanted the ground to swallow me up.
Why did I even come to school today?
"Octavia!"
I sat up as I saw Ernest running over to me with a couple of his basketball friends and he quickly helped me up.
"Ernest."
"Are you okay?! Oh my god what happened to your hand?!"
"Stacy stepped on it and rammed her heel into my hand."
"Let's take you to the nurse! Come on!"
I stood up as I headed with him to the nurse with Kevin and someone else tagging along behind us.
~
My hand was wrapped in a firm bandage but other than that I felt somewhat fine. My heart was hurting from all the stress today so I took some of the emergency pills in my bag to calm myself down.
Kevin sat in a stool not saying much as Ernest sat next to me on the bench holding my hand.
"So you two are really together?"
Or so I thought.
"Yes we are. Why? You want to poke fun at the Plague too?"
"No I don't care much for whatever comes out of that bitch Stacy's mouth. Calling someone that because they're sick says a lot about their character. Besides you make Ernest happy, and I can tell you two liked each other since I saw you at the football game."
"Thank you. You don't know how much I needed to hear that today."
"I would just stay away from Stacy for now. Her and her posse are just all talk and money. I'll try to tell everyone the truth about the rumors she's spreading and hopefully some people will start leaving you alone."
"Yeah being away from her and them would be nice."
"Yeah. Well anyways I'll leave you two lovebirds to it. And Octavia, Ernest talks to us and the guys from the basketball team a lot about you. We actually like you quite a bit now."
"Well I appreciate that Kevin. Thanks again."
"Yeah. Well Seeya guys."
Kevin picked up his bag and left.
"So."
"So."
"Now what?"
"I'll walk you to all of your classes from now on. Even if I'm late I'll do it."
"Ernest you don't have to do that."
"I want to. Please."
"Alright."
Ernest gave me a weak smile and kissed me. I kissed him back briefly before we pulled apart and sat there cuddling until lunch period.
